Rolleston rehabilitation earns more Government certification

posted: 09/12/2019

Media statement

Glencore's Rolleston open cut coal operation in central Queensland has received Government certification on another 166 hectares of rehabilitated mined land.

The Government sign-off means Rolleston now has certification for almost 400 hectares of its rehabilitation (equivalent to more than 350 football fields), which represents almost 40% of the total amount of mined land that has been rehabilitated at the site.

Rolleston also achieved certification for 220 hectares of its rehabilitation in 2018, some of which is now being grazed by prized Charbray cattle.

"Before mining commenced at Rolleston, much of the land was used for grazing cattle," Rolleston Operations Manager, Andrew McDonald explained.

"That is the land use we are aiming to achieve post-mining, and it is very rewarding to receive further certification that shows our rehabilitation is delivering successful outcomes.

"Our employees take enormous pride in this aspect of mining; many of them are from rural backgrounds and it is important to them and Glencorfe that we return the land to a productive and sustainable use after mining is finished."

Across all Glencore open cut mines, planning for rehabilitation starts almost before first coal is mined.

Rehabilitation is incorporated into daily mine plans and annual plans to ensure that this work is resourced, budgeted and delivered.

These annual plans include tarteted areas for disturbance as well as areas for shaping and seeding; forecasts for rehabilitation across the life of mine to avoid large, end-of-mine legacies; and plans to address legacy issues.

Glencore's Queensland Environment & Community Manager, Pieter Swart, said the company's strong focus on rehabilitation was driving excellent results.

"The certification at Rolleston follows a similar achievement at our Newlands operation in 2017, and we are confident of seeing rehabilitation at a number of our other Queensland sites achieving certification in the near future," Mr Swart said.

"We have a focus on delivering quality rehabilitation that is capable of meeting an agreed post-mining land use."

Mr Sward said Glencore's coal operations across Queensland and new South Wales would again achieve more than 1,000 hectaires of rehabilitation in 2019, the fourth successive year this ambitious target has been realised.

 

For further information, please contact:

Media

Allyn Hamonet
m: +61 418 228 075
e: Allyn Hamonet

Francis De Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis De Rosa

 

Notes for editors

Glencore

Glencore is one of the world's largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 commodities. The Group's operations comprise about 150 mining and metallurgical sites and oil production assets.

With a strong footprint in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of offices located in over 35 countries.

Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, battery manufacturing and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 158,000 people, including contractors.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

Glencore Australia

Glencore has operated in Australia for over 20 years and holds significant interests in a range of commodity industries across all mainlaind states and the Northern Territory.

Headquartered in Sydney, we are a major Australian employer, with 18,000 people working across industries that include coal, copper, zinc, nickel, oil and agricultural products.

During 2018 in Australia, Glencore contributed more than $15.6 billion to the regional, state and national economies. The most significant economic contribution came from core business activities: employing people, sourcing from local communities, and paying taxes to host governments.

Glencore's coal business in Australia

Glencore is one of Australia's largest coal producers with 16 operational mines across New South Wales and Queensland.

We provide employment for around 10,000 Australians and in 2018 managed the production of about 108 million tonnes of thermal and coking coal, predominantly for export. We have a strong safety and environmental performance and play an active role in the development of low emission coal technology.